Letters to the editor: God determines what is right and wrong

Monday, March 25, 2013

God determines what is right and wrong

In a recent letter to the editor, “No place for outdated morals,” Rudy Serra suggests that we need to redefine what is considered sinful behavior to accommodate an evolving society and personal opinion. As a Christian, I believe that God alone decides what behavior is sinful, and since God doesn’t change, neither does his list of sinful behaviors.

Serra references the Bible, suggesting that Jesus focused more on forgiveness than on the sexual misconduct of a woman caught in the act of adultery. It’s true that Jesus said to her accusers, “He who is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” We are all guilty of sin, so it is not for us to cast judgment. However, Jesus then went on to say to her: “Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” That is the part no one wants to hear. He didn’t say, “ continue in your sin and someday it won’t be considered a sin.”

I don’t condemn homosexuals. I love them and I pray for them. Their sin is no different than the sins of pornographers, drug addicts, murderers, thieves, alcoholics, gluttons, cheaters, liars or people who struggle with self-righteousness and unforgiveness.

All sin is equal in the eyes of God. We all have areas of temptation that we struggle with every day. We cannot be sinless, but we are supposed to strive to be. The difference is that homosexuals want to remove their behavior from the list. I am sorry to say that it can’t be done. God says it is sin, so it is sin.

In the Bible, King David was an adulterer and a murderer, yet God called him a man after his own heart, not because he was perfect, but because he was quick to repent and turn from his sin. He didn’t continue sinning or try to justify it to make himself feel better.

Serra also suggests that morality requires that we should feed the hungry, clothe the naked and help the sick and imprisoned. I agree wholeheartedly, and I believe that the Christian community in this country does more than its lion’s share in these areas of outreach, yet we are called homophobes and hate-mongers. Who hates who? Who is discriminating against who?

Christians get a bad rap for standing firm on godly principles. I would like to believe that 99 percent of Americans would consider pedophilia an unthinkable act but, if we allow it, eventually it, too, will gradually become more acceptable just like pre-marital sex, abortion and homosexual activity. We simply cannot allow that to happen. Let’s keep God in charge of determining what is right and wrong and do our best to comply.

LISA PEASLEYMadison HeightsNonunion employees shouldn’t get benefits

The right-to-work supporters stress fairness and freedom of choice. If a person chooses to work at a union establishment, it is not fair for that person to share the representation and benefits but not pay union dues.

A simple analogy is someone attending a pot-luck dinner party who’s empty handed but stays to enjoy the meal.

Right-to-work advocate Brian Pannebecker should realize that the profit-sharing bonus autoworkers receive is a union-negotiated benefit.